How To Maintain Hope When the Future Appears Hopeless

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Life changed the year COVID-19 first spread around the world. Countless lives were lost, many more were ill, and everyone struggled with lockdowns and social changes.

They tell us that feelings of hopelessness and depression increased exponentially.

It makes us wonder how to maintain hope when the future appears hopeless.

A good place to start is by following the example of Mary and Martha. We cry out to Jesus!

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha … [their] brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling Him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”

John 11:1–3

The members of this family were precious friends of Jesus who had seen Him heal more people than they could count. They may have then relaxed, confident that Jesus would immediately come to heal His beloved friend.

But Jesus didn’t respond immediately as they expected…

When Jesus heard about it He said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He stayed where He was for the next two days.

John 11:4–6

I imagine this was difficult for them to understand. How could Jesus allow someone they loved so much to suffer when He had the power to heal him?

And many of us can relate. We’ve watched loved ones suffer from cancer, degenerative diseases, and life-threatening viruses. We’ve been told the future looks hopeless, but we’ve still cried out to Jesus for help to give us hope.

Jesus told His disciples…

“Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

John 11:14b–15

I’ll admit it’s hard to be hopeful when you’re grieving. When life feels fragile and uncertain, hope can feel like it’s just beyond reach. Understandably, we question “Why” when the One who has the power to heal and tells us He loves us allows us to suffer heartbreaking loss.

I can’t promise the following reasons are absolutes in every situation, but they are truths from God’s Word that have helped me.

♥ I’ll never forget when the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “You have no idea the ways and times I’ve spared you.”

God is always at work, even when we can’t see it.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)

♥ God wants us for eternity. He is working in our lives to draw us closer to Him.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.

We believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us. 

Romans 8:18, 23

♥ He wants us to rely on Him for comfort and strength.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 

2 Corinthians 1:3

♥ He promises that we will never have to suffer or grieve alone.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand

Isaiah 41:10

♥ He wants us to live with hope, knowing that He has defeated death.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Please join us throughout the week as we praise God for Jesus, who is fully God and man, the One who holds the power over sin and death.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Maintain Hope
When We Feel Hopeless

Father God, this life can be painful. Jesus told us we would have trials and heartache, and He knew it was true. He lived among us. Our illnesses, losses, and betrayals touched Him and the people around Him.

He also knew His future and ours. He knew He would suffer, die, and rise again, and He knew the victory He would win through it.

He told us to remain hopeful in Him because He has overcome the world.

Father, it’s hard to maintain hope while suffering or grieving when all I can feel is physical, mental, and emotional pain. I find myself wondering, “Why?” Why do you allow anguish when You have the power to prevent it?

Please help me. Help us all.

Open my eyes to see the ways You provide for and protect me. Open my mind and help me remember Your hope-filled promises. Please help me focus on my relationship with You and the hope of my eternal future. And help me trust You to give me comfort and strength now.

You are gracious and good. You promised to give Your children a future filled with hope and good things You have planned. (Jeremiah 29:11) You promised to be with us always.

By Your grace and with Your help, I will trust You and live each day with faith, hope, and love. I can’t on my own, but I can do all things through Your Son and my Savior, Jesus. In whose name, I pray. Amen.

G. K. Chesterton said…

“Hope means expectancy when things are otherwise hopeless.”

And Max Lucado wrote…

“Jesus gives us hope because He keeps us company, has a vision and knows the way we should go.”

Don’t give up! Hold onto hope! Cling to God’s promises. Your suffering is temporary, and the Lord, our God, has promised a beautiful eternal future for all who place their faith in Jesus.

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